Giana Erminio 2-1 Atalanta U23s
Lonardo's goal didn't suffice
An away setback for Atalanta U23s as hosting side Giana Erminio imposed themselves 2-1 at the "Città di Gorgonzola" stadium.
Despite Atalanta U23s setting the pace of the game and pushing forward throughout the opening minutes, with the Nerazzurri only missing to deliver the finishing move, it was Giana Erminio who broke the deadlock on 14 minutes with their very first attempt of the match, through Nichetti, who volleyed in following a corner-kick situation to give the hosts upper hand. Although Atalanta tried to hit back in the 24th, when Vavassori loosened a right-footer from the box forcing Mangiapoco to tip it behind for a corner, Giana stretched their lead in the 31st with Tirelli.
Resuming the game with malice, Atalanta meant business since the opening minutes of the second half as Alessio, despite a tricky first touch in the box, managed to get a shot off, smothered by Mangiapoco. On 67 minutes came Soppy who, right after coming off the bench, almost found the back of the net with a dangerous cross-shot, ultimately tipped out for a corner with a last-ditch save. Atalanta's new lease of life came in the 76th minute when a Panada shot brought about a scramble in the box, with Lonardo reacting quickest and bringing the game back in contention with his very first goal both as a professional and for the U23s. Despite the Nerazzurri's relentlessly throwing everything they had until the final whistle, the equaliser was not meant to be.
GIANA ERMINIO 2-1 ATALANTA
Scorers: Nichetti 14 (G), Tirelli 31 (G), Lonardo 76 (A)
Giana Erminio: Mangiapoco, Nichetti, Ferri, Pinto (C) (Marotta 65), Tirelli (Capelli 65), Lamesta, Colombara (Piazza 71), De Maria (Montipò 79), Stuckler (Ballabio 71), Caferri, Previtali. Unused bench: Pirola, Moro, Avinci, Pala, Pirotta, Bassanini, Buzzi, Renda. Coach: Andrea Chiappella.
Atalanta U23s: Vismara, Del Lungo, Gyabuaa (C) (Artesani 86), Panada, Vavassori, Obrić (Pounga 85), Alessio, Bernasconi (Soppy 63), Navarro, Bergonzi (Ceresoli 63), Lonardo. Bench: Pardel, Dajčar, Berto, Comi, Ghislandi, Scheffer, Mencaraglia, Peli. Coach: Francesco Modesto.
Referee: Ferdinando Emanuel Toro from Catania;
Assistant referees: Giuseppe Bosco from Lanciano and Vincenzo D'Ambrosio Giordano from Collegno;
Fourth official: Costanzo Cafaro from Alba-Bra.
Notes: Obrić (A), Previtali (G), De Maria (G), Gyabuaa (A), Soppy (A), Ceresoli (A), Del Lungo (A) booked